The official ceremony of a signature of the second revised Cotonou Agreement took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 22-23 June 2010 in presence of EU Development Commissioner and representatives of the ACP countries. Changes to the agreement highlight an emphasis on climate change, and regional integration to combat problems affecting neighbouring countries. Other goals include coordinated efforts to maintain food security, and prioritisation of fragile states. Commissioner Piebalgs also inaugurated a street “L’Avenue de L’Europe” next to the EU delegation, and met with Burkina Faso’s President, Blaise Compaore.
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EU-ACP Relations
The Cotonou Agreement is the most comprehensive partnership agreement between developing countries and the EU. It is our key instrument in the fight against poverty in the ACP States. It has been the framework for the EU’s relations with 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States since 2000.
The revised Agreement promotes an open dialogue and a flexible approach to reduce and eventually eradicate poverty. It aims to foster regional integration, to address global challenges such as climate change and supports ACP countries to progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
The 2nd revision adapts the partnership to the latest challenges, in particular:
* The EU’s ACP partners face major challenges if they are to meet the Millennium Development Goals. The EU commitment to tackling poverty and to increasing aid to 0.7% GNI was endorsed by the European Council on 17 June.
* The global challenge of climate change is a major subject for the partnership. The parties commit to supporting efforts in mitigating and adapting to its effects.
* The growing importance of regional integration in ACP countries and in ACP-EU relations is reflected. The African Union becomes a partner of the EU-ACP.
* Security and fragility: no development can take place without a secure environment. The new agreement highlights this interdependence and tackles security threats jointly.
* The trade chapter of the Agreement will reflect the new trade relationship and the expiry of preferences at the end of 2007. It reaffirms the role of the Economic Partnership Agreements to boost economic development and integration into the world economy. It underlines the importance of trade adaptation strategies and aid for trade.
* More impact, more value for money: the revision will put into practice the internationally agreed aid effectiveness principles, in particular donor coordination. For the first time, the role of other EU policies for the development of ACP countries is recognized and the EU commits to enhance the coherence of those policies to this end.
In 2009, the Parties have considered necessary to adapt existing cooperation framework to better address the all aspects of poverty eradication. The negotiations were launched in May 2009, and the EU negotiator initialled the endorsed texts on 19 March 2010.
Source: European Commission
